Needle feed questions

[stickandtin]

We ordered a Cowboy 538 from Toledo Industrial. It arrived yesterday. As usual, Bob Kovar was wonderful to deal with and we got the machine in less than a week(Toledo to Lubbock, Tx) from the time we ordered it. We bought the machine to primarily sew draperies. However, we are wondering what else this needle feed machine can be used for and what it's capabilities are. Can it sew leather, vinyl, canvas? What thicknesses? What range of needles and thread can it handle? As far as manuals to operate the machine, the main book is written in Chinese. Why does Cowboy include a user manual that is written only in Chinese? Other than some illustrations it's of no use to us. There was another smaller supplement written in English that covered some basics. Our Juki manual at least had English translations. Because the main manual is in Chinese, I'm sure we will have plenty of questions about operating the machine. We would appreciate any input on other uses for and capabilities of this machine. Thanks!

[brmax]

Do you have some pics or a link I cannot find it anywhere, Cowboy, Hightex.

What is it similar to in your opinion

Thanks

[mikesc]

@stickandtin..all your questions are better addressed directly to Bob Kovar, who sold you the machine, especially re English instructions, and the machines capabilities.

[stickandtin]

Mikesc.....yes, I can place a call to Bob. I just thought maybe some other people on this forum may own and use this model machine and would share some info about it.

[brmax]

Curious is it with an oil pump or have the places on the top for daily oil.

I did find a pic from an earlier post you made, sorry.  It looks like a newer juki casting maybe 87series.

The Juki manuals have like 5 languages in them and drive me nuts, I wished for just one! mine.

Another pic or two of the needle end would be cool.

Good day

Floyd

 

[stickandtin]

It has an oil pump, but three manual oiling spots on top of machine. Here are some pics.

[stickandtin]

Photo of needle mechansim

 

 

[Gregspitz]

I sew watch straps with a Techsew 5580 Roller foot needle feed machine (otherwise looks similar to yours)..but I recently added a speed reducer to do it well.

Since I am sewing slow all the time and it is self oiled with a pump...I run it as fast as I can for bobbin winding and oil it regularly through every

hole I can..Not sure if that helped but that is what I do.

here is a video

https://youtu.be/U9S2C4jrQdk

[Uwe]

Tech specs, needles and thread range, availability of manuals are important details most people ask about before they buy a machine. Bob's your guy.

Edited June 25, 2016 by Uwe

[Uwe]

13 hours ago, brmax said:

The Juki manuals have like 5 languages in them and drive me nuts, I wished for just one! mine.

I'm thankful that Juki (and Durkopp Adler, Pfaff etc.) care enough to actually produce manuals in multiple languages. I translated technical (car) manuals to finance college in the U.S. and it's HARD work. Ignoring a language you don't know is super easy by comparison.

[stickandtin]

Gregspitz, thank for sending the video. That is some slowwwww sewing. Uwe.....the first industrial machine we ever purchased was the Juki. Since it had an English translation, I assumed all manuals would be that way. Owners manuals for every power tool I buy come in several languages. Again, yes I know I can call Bob. Calling Bob will be a last resort as I am guessing he stays pretty busy and I choose not to bother him with newbie questions. This is why I am asking on this forum. Every day I see posts from people asking details about machines and others sharing that info. I would like to hear from people who are using a Cowboy 538(or same type machine branded with a different name)in some kind of business or hobby. Back to needle size, thread range and other minutia....thought that would be in the manual and it might be. I just can't read Chinese LOL.

Edited June 25, 2016 by stickandtin

[CowboyBob]

Ron,

 I thought by know you would know you can call anytime you need to with a question.We have already talked 5-6 times & went over everything with you about needles,thread,sewing thickness & etc.Yes,the Cowboy manual is Chinese that's why we sent the other one.You did get 2-manuals correct?.It is just a real basic fairly easy machine to operate not much different than the 1541S.Just able to handle thinner material better.

Here's our needle & thread chart maybe that will help?

http://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html

 

[stickandtin]

Hi Bob, I know I can call you anytime and I appreciate that. I just didn't want to trouble you with basic questions that I felt could be asked/answered on the forum. I'll give you a call next week. Thanks!!

[Evo160K]

stickandtin ,

Regarding the Chinese manual, language became a huge problem when I started restoring my Claes machine, most every manual I found was written in German.  Google Translate was extremely helpful, even though in some languages (like German) words can have several translations, in such a case you choose one which is most relevant.  Here's the link I use.:  https://translate.google.com/#de/en/lager buchse

When you don't know the source of the language you want translated, you ask the program to identify it.  It's pretty cool imho.

[TinkerTailor]

I bet that the sellers of clone machines are not allowed to include the original manual for the juki or adler or whatever was cloned for copyright reasons, so they include the next best thing, the wear noodles version.

Any reputable dealer will certainly tell you which manual will work for your machine and where to download it over the phone after the sale.

Incidentally i found a manual that is identical page for page to my techsew 5100 manual from a chinese site except that it had a whole nuther page of adjustments dealing with stitch length matching in forward and reverse that is not in the manual that came with my machine, or in any of the other resellers manuals..... (an "value added" selling feature some of the clone people use to sell their machines)

[brmax]

That's funny! I don't care what anybody says.

I would be interested in that whole nuther page someday, I recall someone else also mentioning this great information possibly from an original Juki manual they picked up. whata find

good day

Floyd

 

[TinkerTailor]

I believe this is what you are looking for, I have not done it, I got mine working perfect with the shim method, so i am going to leave it. If i ever do a big re-adjustment i will try it. I am fairly certain that doing this adjustment requires re-timing other things after, so approach with caution. This is actually from the juki engineer manual:

441 reverse-forward balance.pdf

Edited November 1, 2016 by TinkerTailor

[brmax]

I thank you Sir, at this time the cobra is spot on with this particular adjustment. Something I was curious in other pages and not finding the page in my manual was a needle bar adjustment/topside. I did remedy that with a call to the shop out there but afterwards thought a few more instructions as this in the manual would be better.  I guess sometimes in the long run holding back certain tips or adjustments can save grief as a company. I am going to keep an eye open for a juki printing or possibly one of the others

Floyd

[TinkerTailor]

I wonder if the whole problem with the clones is that the casting on the front where the stitch length adjuster plate mounts may not be to spec and differs from machine to machine. This leads to inconsistency in the stitch length between two machines adjusted to the same spec. Also explains why the spi numbers don't mean anything on a clone, but do on a juki(or so i have heard)

[Gregspitz]

On 11/1/2016 at 7:00 AM, Sticks said:

Greg,

 is your machine a needle feed machine.

Would a roller foot on standard industrial work for straps you think.?

I already acquired a walking foot and so need to make this work somehow though.

my machine is needle fed yes....I think that should work..the only way I have found to test it is to do it yourself with the materials that you use regularly.

hope that helps ..